NV Andre Clouet Brut Grande Reserve

NV Andre Clouet Brut Grande Reserve

CHAMPAGNE BLIND TASTING
To drink champagnes blind its a big challenge. I had 5 blind bottles this afternoon, and it stressed me out to the limit! You have to drink it when chilled, how difficult to find good champagnes when they're warmed up? This was 100% Pinot Noir, and I picked it up as the odd one against 4 other Chardonnay. Nose was slightly rich, plastic and fruity. Palate was balanced and precise, young. When warmed up it was the weakest and doesn't have the fruit intensity amongst the 5 served.

8 Apr 2016
CLASSIFICATION
Can anyone enlighten me what's the meaning of Grand Reserva in the context of champagne? I understand this is s Grand Cru level, but the Grand Reserva really threw me off!
I liked the very fruity bouquet, rich and slightly yeasty, a very refreshing and cheerful nose. The body didn't quite reflect the nose character, nevertheless still very enjoyable with pin point precision, good bubble that melted like a butter, and lively, modern, hip and trendy.

2 Sep 2015
FOOLED AGAIN
Another grower champagne that uses the Solera system to artificially age their champagnes like Jacques Selosse. Served blind, I was fooled again ... Declaring it as a 1988 due to the aged nose, not quite age on the palette on hindsight! Honey, honey lemon, green apple, creamy, good acidity, crisp, ripe, slightly bitter, good bubbles, the champagne dissipated very fast on the palette. Blanc de Noir, produced only 1911 bottles a year. Extremely difficult to find.